17

S A T U R D A Y

Gingerbread has its disadvantages as a building material, to be sure, but worst of all is its apparent popularity among late-’80s D.C. condo developers. When it rains, the bricks in my building become sodden lumps of batter, held together only by wet cake frosting. The rain beats down on a roof made of cookies, while the wind howls through the sugar-pane windows. At today’s workshop, Home Sweet Home, would-be real estate profiteers can hone their skills by building houses of the real, edible thing. From noon-3 p.m. at the National Building Museum, 4th & F Sts. NW. $15 per house. For reservations call (202) 272-2448. (Bill Gifford)